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Before Leon Smith was sentenced in the fatal stabbing of Stephan Pool, Pool’s youngest sister Julissa Valdez addressed him. “My brother served you to protect you,” Valdez said, referencing his military service. “How could you get anything other than life in prison?” In May, Smith pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in …
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Leon Allen Smith pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in connection to the stabbing death of 45-year-old Stephan Manuel Pool. Smith, 29, admitted to stabbing Pool once in the heart using his pocket knife because he became enraged after seeing his girlfriend give Pool a hug and a “peck on the …
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Leon Allen Smith pleaded innocent Friday to 12 criminal charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with the death of 45-year-old Stephan Manuel Pool. He is also charged with 10 counts of obstruction of justice in connection with alleged attempts to intimidate a witness. Smith was undergoing mental health treatments, but was found competent for trial …
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Mental health experts have found Leon Allen Smith competent to stand trial for the stabbing death of Stephan Manuel Pool, despite Smith’s insistence that he suffers hallucinations, nightmares and paranoia. According to a recent mental health report, Smith remains largely evasive, dismissive and uncooperative with all clinical assessments. His treatment team, though, has not observed …
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According to mental health evaluators, Leon Allen Smith is uncooperative, antagonistic, defensive and argumentative. But his behaviors are organized and goal oriented. He interacts with select peers, communicates his needs, plays video games and carries out daily living normally. Based on these factors, evaluators believe Smith may be intentionally trying to avoid criminal proceedings. Further …
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The 28-year-old man accused in the stabbing death of Stephan Manuel Pool will undergo further mental health treatment and tests before proceeding to trial. At a hearing Monday, Judge John Johnson ruled that Leon Allen Smith could not be found mentally competent to stand trial at this time and needed further treatment. Smith faces second-degree …
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Police have arrested Leon Allen Smith, 27, of Northeast DC, in connection with the stabbing death of Stephan Manuel Pool. Pool, 45, of Upper Marlboro, Md., was found stabbed in the early morning hours of Sept. 2 in the 200 block of N Street Southwest. He was transferred to an area hospital where he was …
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Leon Allen Smith

What is Homicide Watch D.C.?

Homicide Watch is a community-driven reporting project covering every murder in the District of Columbia. Using original reporting, court documents, social media, and the help of victims’ and suspects’ friends, family, neighbors and others, we cover every homicide from crime to conviction. Read more…